Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-19
wOoDBINED.
A Million Dollars and . New York Man
Disappear Together.

A Million Dollars and . New York Man
Disappear Together.
New YORK. March 17.-Sheriff Grant has
seized the place Of business Of Walter +.
Lawton, 81 Broadway, who did business
under the firm name OF Lawton Bros. as
fertilizers, under attachments from judge
DOnohue, of the Supreme Court, on, credi-
tors claims amounting to two hundred and
forty-fi>e thousand dollars. It is charged
that Lawton has absconded to defraud his
creditors, and that he has disposed of his
property and taken a large amount OF
money with him. Lawton was director
in the Delta Azotin Company, and was en-
trusted with one hundred thousand dollars
in notes to discount for the company. On
seconded with the proceeds of the discounted
notes.
LATER PARTICULARS.
New YORK, March 1.-THE disappear
ance of Lawton has created great deal of
apprehension, and it is generally believed
he is bankrupt. He left the office on Tues
day afternoon, as usual, to go to his home
on the Hudson, and has not been seen
since. Three attachments were obtained
against him to day. The amount of his
liabilities is estimated at about
ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
Lawton is widower and the sole repre-
sentative OF the firm, his brother who was
associated with him, having died some
time ago. Rufus T. Kirkland. Lawton's
cashier, states that on Tuesday Lawton
withdrew all bis funds from the different
banks in which he deposited and took the
money with him. Before his departure he
destroyed all stubs, checks and papers of
every kind from which any information
could be secured as to his disposition of
funds and property. Joseph ID. Jones
placed in Lawton's care on Tuesday, on
behalf OF his company, $4,000, which is
also gone. Kirkland states that on Tues
Broadway and Wall street and that Law
ton requested him to 90 with him to the
officers of the Third National Bank and
introduce him. This he did. Lawton also
asked him to obtain a blank warranty
deed for the conveyance OF real estate in
New Jersey and to meet him in New York
hotel. He met Lawton there with the
blank deed and both went to the Grand
Central depot. Lawton told Kirkland he
intended to leave the city by the train;
tina he had drawn out all the money on
deposit; that he was ruined; that he did
not know what to do. and that he would
PROBABLY COMMIT SUICIDE.
Lawton further said he had exhausted
his resources, and was not able to pay
out any money in his possession. He left
Kirkland to take a train. The second at
tachment was issued at the instance OF
the Chemical, Ammonidite & Oil Co. upon
a similar claim. The company delivered
to Lawton promissory notes Of the value
OF 100000 in trust to discount the
notes and hold the proceeds for the COM
pany's benefit. In addition he received
$4,000 in money. He discounted the
notes, kept the proceeds and also retained
the money and converted it to his own
use. The third claim is one of $4,000 for
professional services by Robert A. Van
Wyck, rendered to Lawton.
LOSSES AMONG THE BANKS.
New YORK, March liam OF banks
were reported to be heavy losers through
the negotiation OF Lawton's paper. Among
them are the first and third banks, the
Bank of the Republic and the Chemical
bank. The President of the First National
bank denied that the bank had handled
any of Lawton's paper. The heAmerican Ex-
change National bank which was reported
to be a heavy loser would not affirm or
deny the report. The President of the
Third National bank says his institution
holds but very small amount which is se.
cured by good indorsers. just before lsav-
ing the city Lawton drew from the Third
bank on checks, $4,000.